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Discover how to create the best Monk build in Avowed, with recommendations for skills, attributes, weapons, companions, and leveling progression!
Avowed gives players incredible freedom in creating builds. One unique playstyle adopted from other RPG games is the “monk.” Monks historically use fist or unarmed attacks for damage (DPS). In this guide, we will walk you through how to create a monk build with the various skills, passives, gear, and companions in Avowed.
Everything You Need To Know About Monk Build Guide in Avowed
The Monk build is a viable playstyle in Avowed due to the Iron Fists skill passive in the Fighter class tree. This passive allows you to scale unarmed attacks to weapon quality like exceptional or superb. This means you won’t have to fuss with annoying gear upgrades to do great damage with no weapon equipped. Once this passive is unlocked, you can forgo a weapon on your front bar and use a bow on the back bar when range is necassary.
The strength of the Monk build playstyle is you have high movement, it’s unique and fun, and you won’t be super dependent on gear like other builds. However, the build will be weaker on high difficulties or at the end-game where you can max out gear to legendary +3 quality. But, the Monk makes a great and rewarding playstyle at the start, or mid-game, and one can respec to another build like the Wizard if running into trouble.
| Monk Build Pros | Monk Build Cons |
|---|---|
| No Gear Dependency | Weak at Endgame |
| High Mobility | Limited Range |
| Fun Playstyle | Challenging in Melee |
Monk Build Features & Mechanics
Below are the essential best Monk build features and mechanics for Avowed:
- Background: War Hero
- Attribute Points: Might, Constitution, and Dexterity
- Weapon Choices: Unarmed, Bow
- Best Skills: Iron Fists, Bear Ally, Clear Out, Arcane Veil
- Recommended Companions: Giatta and Kai
- Best Consumables: Bunch of Peppers, Health Potion, and Cured Bovigrand Lion
Background
The War Hero is the best background for Monk build in Avowed because you start out with a melee weapon. Your background only influences your beginning weapon and speech-related dialogue choices. Therefore, select a background that fits your character’s narrative rather than a performance boost.
Attribute Points
Might, Constitution, and Perception are the best attributes for a Monk build. Might increases your overall damage while constitution helps with increased health. Lastly, Perception increases critical strike chance, and leftover points should be spent on Dexterity. Your overall goal is to find the balance between damage, survivability, and stamina regeneration. Use consumable food to increase stats like intelligence for speech checks.
At a max level of 30, you can select 27 attributes, not including passive permanent bonuses given by companions. Below is our recommended attribute points selection for the unarmed build:
- Might: 10
- Constitution: 6
- Dexterity: 3
- Perception: 4
- Intellect: 0
- Resolve: 4
Weapon Choices
With a Monk build, your weapon choices aren’t essential. You want your weapon slot one to be unarmed, meaning no weapon equipped. Unarmed with the Iron Fist passive will get you the increased overall damage without need a weapon. At the start of the game, use sword and shield until you reach level 5 and unlock this passive.
For a secondary weapon, use a ranged bow. Bows are great early because they can do increased damage via weak points and have far range. Moreover, you can crouch and gain hidden or stealth damage bonu,s stacking two damage mechanics on top of one without any passives.
However, you can experiment with any weapon on your back bar and swap when the range is necessary.
Skill Selection
The overall skill selection focuses on survivability for the Monk at first. Since you’ll be playing in melee range, without a healer like Giatta, take defensive passives. At level 5 you can acquire iron fist and drop your sword and shield. The game has a max level of 30, and starting at level 2, you gain skill points. Below is our suggestions for a monk build.
Levels 1-10 Skills
The most important skills at the start of the game are charge, Arcane Veil, and iron fist. Charge is your gap closer and interrupt mechanic. Use it to reach ranged targets or even escape. Arcane Veil, a wizard skill, gives you massive damage reduction and can be used without a grimoire equipped. This is your damage reduction and survivability skill that can be used at the start of the game. Next is Iron Fist, which causes increased damage through unarmed attacks.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Monk Build for Avowed from levels 1 to 10:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | ||
| 2 | Charge Rank 1 | Fighter | Gap closer |
| 3 | Evasive Rank 1 | Ranger | Reduces the Stamina cost of Dodge by 25% |
| 4 | Arcane Veil Rank 1 | Wizard | Unlocks shield ability with 50% damage reduction |
| 5 | Iron Fist Rank 1 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are Fine quality and can break wooden barriers and explosive barrels. |
| 6 | Shadowing Beyond Rank 1 | Ranger | Channel the Beyond, becoming Invisible and draining Essence until your next combat action. |
| 7 | Survivalist Rank 1 | Ranger | Food restores 20% more Health and Essence and bonus effect durations are increased by 20%. |
| 8 | Constant Recovery Rank 1 | Fighter | After taking damage, slowly regenerate 50% of the last amount of Health lost. |
| 9 | Parry Rank 1 | Ranger | Time a perfect Block against a melee attack to knock the enemy back and gain an immediate counter-attack. |
| 10 | Power Slide Rank 1 | Ranger | Your slides pass through enemies and knock them down at the cost of 20 Essence. |
Levels 11-20 Skills
From level 11 on, look to boost your overall damage with multiple iron fist selections. At levels 14 and 17, don’t select any skills. Use two skill points at levels 15 and 18 to choose Ally Bear and Critical Strike. Both of these skills can be taken at levels 15 and 18 and are a priority for damage and survivability.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Monk Build for Avowed from levels 11 to 20:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Iron Fist Rank 2 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are Exceptional quality. |
| 12 | Arcane Veil Rank 2 | Wizard | Incoming arrows or similar projectiles are reflected back at enemies |
| 13 | Survivalist Rank 2 | Ranger | Unlock recipes for strong healing foods. |
| 14 | Save | N/A | N/A |
| 15 | Bear Ally Rank 1 Critical Strike Rank 1 | Ranger | -Summon a bear ally to aid you in battle for 30 seconds. -Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 10%. |
| 16 | Iron Fist Rank 3 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are Superb quality. |
| 17 | Save | N/A | N/A |
| 18 | Bear Ally Rank 2 Critical Strike Rank 2 | Ranger | -Your bear ally roars when summoned, Taunting enemies and increasing the damage it deals. -Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 15%. |
| 19 | Save | N/A | N/A |
| 20 | Clear Out Rank 1 Inspiring Triumph Rank 1 | Fighter | -Spin in a dangerous whirlwind, becoming Uninterruptable and hitting all nearby enemies with your currently equipped melee weapons. -Killing enemies restores 10% of your Companion’s Maximum Health. |
Levels 21-30 Skills
At levels 21 to 30, look to take damage-producing skills and utility. Clear Out from the Fighter skill works with unarmed and is an AOE knockdown. However, Flurry of Blows from the Ranger doesn’t grant health on attacks, therefore, skip it.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Monk Build for Avowed from levels 21 to 30:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Iron Fists Rank 4 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are of Legendary quality. |
| 22 | Clear Out Rank 2 | Fighter | Clear Out lasts for 2 full rotations. |
| 23 | Clear Out Rank 3 | Fighter | Clear Out lasts for 3 full rotations. |
| 24 | Arcane Veil Rank 3 | Wizard | 7 Melee attackers are knocked back. |
| 25 | Inspiring Triumph Rank 2 | Fighter | Inspiring Triumph revives Incapacitated Companions and restores 20% of their Maximum Health. |
| 26 | Blood Magic Rank 1 | Wizard | When Essence is depleted, you may continue casting by reducing your Health by 150% of the Essence cost. |
| 27 | Harvest Essence Rank 1 | Wizard | The Essence fragments dropped by defeated enemies restore 2 times as much Essence. |
| 28 | Bear Ally Rank 3 | Ranger | Increases the duration by 15 seconds. |
| 29 | Critical Strike Rank 3 | Ranger | Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 20%. |
| 30 | Retribution Rank 1 | Fighter | After taking damage from an enemy, your next attack within 5 seconds deals +70% of the original damage you received. |
Best Monk Skills Explained
Iron Fist, Arcane Veil, and Bear Ally are the best skills for a Monk build because they increase damage or survivability. Iron Fist increases damage from your unarmed attacks and is a mandatory passive for the Monk. Arcane Veil gives you a damage reduction tool that can reflect arrows, range projectiles, and knock melee attackers back. Lastly, Bear Ally acts a extra companion that can taunt, soak up damage and attention. Below are the most important skills for a Monk build in Avowed:
- Iron Fists: Improves the quality of your unarmed attacks, allowing them to break barriers.
- Arcane Veil: damage reduction shield that can reflect ranged attacks
- Bear Ally: summons an extra companion for a limited time
- Clear Out: AOE damage that works with unarmed
- Critical Strike: passive boost to critical damage
Companions
Giatta and Kai are the best companions for a Monk build in Avowed because they either tank or heal you. Giatta provides healing support, keeping you alive. She joins your party during the main story quest, “The Animancy Method.”
Kai, on the other hand, serves as a frontline tank, drawing enemy attention and soaking up damage. This is especially useful for Monk fighters, helping them handle multiple foes more effectively. Kai becomes available after completing the “Message from Afar” quest in Dawnshore. His ability to manage enemy aggression allows you to focus on melee combat, making him an excellent choice for maximizing your Monk build’s potential.
Marius, another companion, becomes available later in the quest “An Untimely End.” You can select him instead of Kai after you gain access to Bear Ally for more single target damage.
Giatta
| Skill 1 | Skill 2 | Skill 3 | Skill 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purification | Barrier | Acceleration | Reconstruction |
| Essence Generator | Protective shields to reduce incoming damage | Increases the movement and attack speed | Heal and restore health |
Kai
| Skill 1 | Skill 2 | Skill 3 | Skill 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire and Ire | Unbending Defense | Leap of Daring | Second Wind |
| Fires a powerful shot from his blunderbuss | Regenerate Health and increase his Damage Reduction by 25% | Crashes down upon the enemy, Stunning and Taunting all nearby enemies | Revives himself when his health is reduced to zero |
Monk Gameplay & Tips
Monk combat in Avowed offers a unique and immersive experience, making agility, speed, and strategic positioning crucial. Some Fighter skills like Iron Fists increase unarmed combat effectiveness. Focus on increasing your attributes points like Might, Constitution, and Dexterity. Might increase damage dealt with unarmed attacks, and the Constitution boosts health and stamina, improving survivability.
Dexterity increases your attack speed and evasion. Use the shield to parry attacks, providing defense without hindering unarmed combat. Equip the high-level shield to block all the incoming attacks. Giatta and Kai are the best companions to choose for your Monk build. Giatta grants healing and buffs, while Kai acts as a tank, draws enemy attention, and absorbs damage during combat. We recommend you use quick dashes to evade attacks and reposition. Time your shield blocks to deflect attacks and focus on increasing critical hit chance and damage to maximize unarmed combat.
Weapons and Armor
Beginner Weapon and Armor for Monk Build
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | Unarmed | |
| Secondary Weapon | The Long Touch | Gain increase damage to unaware enemies |
| Armor | Stelgaer’s Pride | 18% Damage Reduction -35 Maximum Stamina -30 Maximum Essence |
| Gloves | Blackwing Gloves | +1% Critical Hit Chance +10% Critical Damage |
| Boots | Tranton Family Greaves | +20 Maximum Health +20% Dodge Distance +10% Move Speed |
| Trinket | Berath’s Blessed Ward | -5% damage from Vessels |
| Ring | Ring of Pain Amplification | +15% Critical Damage |
| Ring | Ring of the Founder | +10% Damage Against enemies with full health |
- Unarmed: Leave blank and attack with fists. Before you unlock Iron Fist, you can use Sword and Shield Last Light of Day / Unflinching Duty
- The Long Touch: Purchased from Merchant in Militia headquarters in Dawnshore, Paradis Hightown.
- Stelgaer’s Pride– Eastern Dawnshore, inside a chest in a secret storage cave behind the Watcher’s Mirror location.
- Blackwing Gloves- Loot the backpack found at the top of the Aedyran Embassy in Paradis, Dawnshore.
- Tranton Family Greaves– Looted from Conner Tranton in the cave behind Overgrown Homestead in Emerald Stair.
- Berath’s Blessed Ward- is Emerald Stair. Complete the side quest “Elder Offerings” in Emerald Stair, and don’t report the food theft
- Ring of Pain Amplification- is Emerald Stair. Obtained from Dolina as a reward for defeating Amadio and the Xaureps in the Fortified Xaurep Camp in the northeastern Grim Wetlands of Emerald Stair
- Ring of the Founder- Looted from the corpse of Maxim Vidarro inside the Ancient Grotto at Emerald Stair.
Endgame Weapon and Armor for Monk Build
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | Unarmed | |
| Secondary Weapon | Ancient Alacrity | Slows enemies that are hit |
| Armor | Berserker Scale | 15% damage reduction 71 Additional damage reduction -25 Maximum Stamina -35 Maximum Essence |
| Gloves | Sentinel Gloves | +15% Stun |
| Boots | Berserker Boots | -10% incoming Fire, Frost, and Shock Damage |
| Trinket | Cartographer’s Companion | +1 Dex, +2 Perception |
| Ring | Ashfall’s Legacy | +10% Attack Damage +20% Critical Hit Damage |
| Ring | Disciple’s Ring | +60 Maximum Essence |
- Ancient Alacrity: Locked behind a door in the same room as Sibelius boss within the Solace Lava Tubs, in the Galawain’s Tusks region.
- Berserker Scale– Inside a chest at Amalia’s Camp in Galawain’s Tusks.
- Sentinel Gloves- In a chest to the right of the Ash Forest Outpost in Galawain’s Tusks.
- Berserker Boots– Inside a chest at the Outcast Cave Camps in Galawain’s Tusks.
- Cartographer’s Companion- Looted from a dead body near the Shrine to Galawain in Galawain’s Tusks.
- Ashfall’s Legacy- Reward for completing Warden’s Legacy quest in Galawain’s Tusks.
- Disciple’s Ring- Lockpick chest within Razvan’s Hut at the Ash Forest Outpost in Galawain’s Tusks.
Consumables
Consumables in Avowed provide temporary benefits, such as restoring health or essence or granting buffs to various attributes. You can obtain them by defeating enemies, looting crates or chests, or purchasing from merchants. Bunch of Peppers is the best consumable that grants 25 Essence Regeneration. To gain 150 Health Regeneration, you can use a Cured Bovigrand Lion. Health Potion allows you to restore 70% of your maximum health for 300 seconds. Open the radial menu and select the consumable icon to use a consumable. This will lead you to the consumables section, where you can choose the items you wish to use.
FAQs about Monk in Avowed
What is the best Monk build in Avowed?
The best Monk build focuses on the Iron Fists passive boosting overall damage using no weapon in your main hand.
Which is the best Background for an Monk build?
The War Hero is the best background for an Monk build because you gain a melee weapon in the tutorial.
Which are the best skills for a Monk build?
Iron Fists, Bear Ally, Clear Out, Arcane Veil are the best Monk skills. Iron Fists increases unarmed damage while Bear Ally summons an extra companion. Arcane Veil provides a damage reduction and ranged reflect skill and Clear Out is your area damage skill.
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